Yn was lost in the comforting embrace of a dream, one that transported her back to her 4th birthday. In her dream, her family was together again, and everything was perfect. She could see her brother, Jimin, smiling brightly as he presented her with a huge dollhouse, his eyes sparkling with joy.

Yn: "Thank you, Oppa! This is the best dollhouse ever!"
Jimin: "Only the best for my little sister."

Her father, a man with a warm smile, brought out a freshly baked cake, the aroma of vanilla and chocolate filling the air.

Father: "Make a wish, sweetheart."

Her mother was in the kitchen, preparing her favorite dishes, her face glowing with happiness.

Mother: "And don't forget to blow out all the candles!"

The room was filled with laughter and love, and Yn felt warmth in her heart she hadn't felt in years.

"Happy birthday, Yn!" they all chorused, surrounding her with love and warmth.

Just as Yn leaned forward to blow out the candles, a sharp, stinging pain shot through her head, jolting her awake. She sat up with a gasp, her heart pounding in her chest. Blinking rapidly, Yn realized she was back in her classroom. The whiteboard duster lay on her desk, and her homeroom teacher, Prof. Oh, was glaring at her with a look that could melt steel.

Prof. Oh: "Park Yn! How dare you sleep in my class?"

Yn rolled her eyes, unbothered by the seething anger in her teacher's voice. She stood up, grabbed her bag, and slung it over her shoulder with a nonchalant grace.

Prof. Oh: "Yn, don't you dare walk out of this classroom! You need to respect my authority!"

Yn paused for a moment, turning her head slightly to look at Prof. Oh with a bored expression. She smirked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Yn: "Respect is earned, not demanded. And throwing a duster at a student? Really professional, Professor."

Without waiting for a response, she strutted out of the classroom, her footsteps echoing through the silent hallway. The other students watched in stunned silence, some with admiration, others with shock. Prof. Oh's face turned red with fury, but Yn was already gone, her mind drifting back to the remnants of her dream.

She pushed open the heavy school doors and stepped outside, the cool breeze a welcome contrast to the stuffy classroom. She took a deep breath, trying to clear her mind. The dream had felt so real, so vivid, that it left her feeling more alone than ever.

As she scanned the area, her eyes landed on a familiar figure leaning against a sleek black car. Kim Taehyung, her cousin, was waiting for her. His stylish clothes and easy demeanor made him stand out, even in the busy school parking lot. Yn rolled her eyes and tried to walk past him, but Taehyung wasn’t so easily deterred.

Taehyung: "Yn, wait up!"

He jogged after her and caught up quickly. Before she could protest, he scooped her up effortlessly and set her down on the bonnet of his car. Yn glared at him, her arms crossed over her chest, while Taehyung responded with his signature boxy smile.

Yn: "What do you want, Oppa?"

Taehyung: "Just wanted to see my favorite cousin and make sure she's okay."

Yn huffed, her expression icy.

Yn: "Well, you've seen me. Can I go now?"

Taehyung chuckled, shaking his head. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, brightly wrapped package, holding it out to her.

Taehyung: "I brought you something from New York. I thought you might like it."

Yn eyed the package suspiciously, but curiosity got the better of her. She took it and unwrapped it to find a beautiful charm bracelet, each charm representing something from their childhood.

Yn: "You didn't have to."

Taehyung's smile softened, his eyes warm with affection.

Taehyung: "I wanted to. I know things have been tough, and I just wanted to remind you that you’re not alone. We're family, Yn."

Yn looked down at the bracelet, her cold facade cracking just a little.

Yn: "Thanks, Oppa.

As they drove through the bustling streets, Yn finally turned to Taehyung, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Yn: "So, why did you come now? It's not like you to show up out of the blue."

Taehyung glanced at her, and then sheepishly held his ear in a playful gesture of apology.

Taehyung: "I'm sorry, baby. I know I should have come sooner."

He again handed her a neatly wrapped present, a small smile playing on his lips.

Taehyung: "Happy belated birthday, by the way. How was your 19th birthday party?"

Yn’s mind flashed back to that day. She had spent it alone in her room with her dog, Holly, feeling the weight of her loneliness more than ever. But she didn’t want to burden Taehyung with her sadness.

Yn: "It was great, Oppa. The best birthday ever. I really enjoyed myself."

Taehyung sensed a hint of something off in her voice, but he chose to let it slide for now. He knew Yn well enough to recognize when she was hiding something, but he also knew pushing her wouldn’t help.

Taehyung: "I'm glad to hear that. I’m really sorry I couldn’t be there. How about we make up for it today? How about a shopping spree? My treat."

Yn's eyes lit up, her earlier sadness momentarily forgotten.

Yn: "Are you serious? You know I won't go easy on you, right?"

Taehyung chuckled, the warmth in his voice evident.

Taehyung: "I wouldn't expect anything less."

The car ride turned into a journey of shared stories and laughter, the bond between them growing stronger with each passing moment. Taehyung's presence provided a comforting balm to Yn’s lonely existence, a reminder that she wasn’t as alone as she often felt.

They pulled up to a chic shopping district, and Taehyung parked the car. He turned to Yn with a wide grin.

Taehyung: "Ready to shop 'til we drop?"

Yn nodded eagerly, her spirits lifted by the prospect of a fun day out.

Yn: "You bet! And don't blame me if your wallet cries by the end of it."

Taehyung laughed and got out of the car, walking around to open the door for her. As they strolled down the lively streets, Taehyung made sure to keep the conversation light and cheerful, steering clear of anything that might dampen Yn’s mood.

Both of them arrived home, the cheerful atmosphere from their shopping spree evaporating as they stepped inside. Taehyung immediately noticed Min Su-min, his stepmother, waiting in the living room. He rolled his eyes, determined not to let her ruin his mood. The driver followed them in, placing all the shopping bags on the couch.

Su-min eyed the bags, her face pinching with disapproval as she glanced at the bills. Just then, Jimin entered the room, his presence commanding and intimidating. He saw Yn and Taehyung standing by the bags while Su-min scrutinized the receipts.

Su-min: "Yn, you spent all this money on useless things? You should be studying for your finals instead of wasting time and money!"

Before Yn could respond, Taehyung stepped forward, his expression hardening.

Taehyung: "Mrs. Min, you don't need to worry about it. It's my money, and I'm the one who made her buy those things."

Su-min was taken aback by Taehyung's harsh words and turned to Jimin for support. However, Jimin was focused on his laptop, seemingly indifferent to the confrontation.

Taehyung and Yn began carrying the bags up to her room. Just as Taehyung reached the stairs, Jimin's voice cut through the air.

Jimin glanced up briefly, his tone cold and authoritative.

Jimin: "Taehyung, don't waste your hard-earned money on useless things. Save it instead of spending it like water."

Taehyung's lips curled into a sarcastic smile as he replied.

Taehyung: "Maybe you should focus more on your work, Jimin. And just to remind you, the person you're calling useless is our sister."

Jimin’s eyes flickered with annoyance, but he remained silent, his focus returning to his laptop. Taehyung continued, his voice steely.

Taehyung: "And let me warn you, if anyone in this house tries to harm Yn mentally or physically, it will be their last day here."

Meanwhile, Yn stood at the top of the stairs, her eyes welling up with tears as she watched the exchange. She could feel the intense hatred radiating from Jimin, and it cut her deeply.

As night fell, Yn lay in bed, drenched in sweat, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. Taehyung’s voice shattered the stillness, calling her name repeatedly. Yn hesitated before answering, her voice trembling with tears.

Yn: "O-Oppa, I... I can't breathe. It feels like I'm dying."

Taehyung’s heart raced with fear as he listened to Yn's distress. He dialed Jimin's number frantically, but there was no response. Desperation clawed at Taehyung's chest as he tried to reach his brother for help. Turning to his stepmother, Min Su-min, he pleaded for assistance, but her dismissive response crushed his hopes.

Su-min: "She's probably just faking it to avoid studying again. Don't worry too much."

Taehyung's disappointment was palpable as he hung up abruptly. For the first time in his life, he regretted staying away from Yn, realizing that he had failed to protect his little sister when she needed him the most.

In a frantic bid to help Yn, Taehyung reached out to his friend Namjoon, a doctor. He explained Yn's condition, his voice laced with desperation. Namjoon’s reassuring words provided a glimmer of hope as he promised to rush to Yn's side.

Namjoon: "Don't worry, Taehyung. I'll be there soon. Just try to keep her calm until I arrive."

As Taehyung hung up the phone, relief washed over him. His urgent call roused Yn from her troubled sleep.

Taehyung: "Yn, Namjoon is waiting for you downstairs. He's here to help you."

 With trembling hands and a racing heart, she made her way downstairs, each step a struggle against the overwhelming weight of exhaustion. As she descended, she caught sight of Jimin and his business colleagues, reveling in their laughter and clinking glasses, a stark reminder of her own loneliness amidst the crowd.

Each step was a battle against the weight of her failing health. Weakness threatened to overwhelm her, her vision blurring at the edges.

Taehyung's friend, Namjoon, rushed to her side just in time to prevent her from collapsing. Concern etched into his features, he gently supported her trembling form.

Namjoon: "Yn, what's happening? Are you okay?"

Before Yn could respond, her strength gave out, and she crumpled into unconsciousness in Namjoon's arms.

The next morning, at the dining table, Jimin looked around, noticing Yn's absence. He addressed the maid, his voice calm but curious.

Jimin: "Where is Yn?"

Before the maid could respond, Su-min chimed in, her tone dismissive.

Su-min: "She went out very late last night and hasn't come home yet. She's probably out partying somewhere."

Meanwhile, in New York, Taehyung anxiously dialed Namjoon's number, desperate for news about Yn's condition. Namjoon answered after a few rings, his voice tinged with concern.

Taehyung: "Namjoon hyung, how is Yn? What's going on?"

Namjoon sighed deeply, the weight of his words heavy.

Namjoon: "Taehyung, Yn is suffering from pneumonia. It's a good thing I got there when I did. If we hadn’t started treatment early, we might have lost her."

Taehyung's soul trembled, the gravity of Namjoon's words hitting him hard.

Namjoon: "For now, we'll keep her under observation for 24 hours. Let's see how she responds to the treatment."

His decision to bring Yn to New York was fueled by a deep-seated need to protect her, to ensure she was never left to suffer alone again.

Yn returned home after her treatment, still weak but determined to face whatever awaited her. She encountered Jimin in the hallway. His eyes were cold, his posture rigid.

Jimin: "Stop roaming around the city like that. We have a reputation to uphold. Don’t act like a spoiled brat."

His words cut deep, and Yn felt a familiar sting of pain.

Yn: "Is that what you think of me, Oppa?"

Jimin said nothing, his silence speaking volumes. Yn’s eyes welled up with tears as she rushed to her room, her heart aching from his harsh words.

In the following days, Taehyung noticed Yn's increasing isolation. Whenever he called, her responses were brief and distant. Concerned, he made a decision.

Taehyung: "I need to visit Yn as soon as I finish this project. Something's not right."

During the exam season, Yn's deteriorating health prevented her from performing well. Anxiety gnawed at her, fearing that Prof. Oh might use this opportunity to fail her. Her worst fears came true when she was summoned to Principal Moon's office. As she entered, she saw her aunt Su-min glaring at her furiously.

Principal Moon: "Yn, you have failed all your exams. You will need to retake them to be promoted to the next class."

Seeing an opportunity, Prof. Oh chimed in with a venomous tone.

Prof. Oh: "Yn never attends her classes. She bullies her classmates and even abuses the teachers."

Yn's eyes widened with anger and disbelief.

Yn: "That's a lie! I've never done any of those things!"

Before she could say more, Su-min slapped her hard across the face, the impact making Yn fall to the ground. Su-min's voice was filled with venom.

Su-min: "You're nothing but a burden, Yn. Your parents would be ashamed of you. You're useless and a disgrace to this family!"

Su-min continued her tirade, each word cutting deeper into Yn's already fragile heart.

Su-min: "You think you can just float through life without any responsibility? You're pathetic. Look at you, making excuses and blaming others for your failures. No wonder everyone despises you."

Yn saw her classmates and other students peering through the windows, recording and laughing at her humiliation. Even Prof. Oh wore a satisfied smirk, relishing in her downfall. Su-min grabbed Yn's arm tightly, her nails digging into her skin, and dragged her out of the school building like she was trash.Yn struggled to keep up, her vision blurred by tears of humiliation.

Upon reaching the house, Yn went directly to her room, locking herself in. She skipped dinner, her mind swirling with humiliation and despair. The next morning, she came out for breakfast, hoping for a moment of normalcy. Just as she was about to take her first bite, Su-min interrupted.

Su-min: "Yn, from now on, you'll join the maids in doing house chores."

Jimin looked at Su-min with confusion.

Jimin: "Why does Yn have to do that when we have maids?"

For the first time, Yn felt a glimmer of hope and relief, seeing her brother takes her side.

Su-min glared at Yn and then turned to Jimin, her expression severe.

Su-min: "Yn is just spending money, neither studying nor working. She failed all her exams and barely wrote anything on paper. Her professor also complained about bullying and harassment. Jimin, I suggest we marry her off on her 20th birthday; otherwise, she will be a burden to our lives forever."

Yn felt her heart shatter at Su-min's cruel words. She stood up, tears brimming in her eyes, and shouted back.

Yn: "Don’t you dare interfere in my life, you gold-digger! You're no one but a leech, staying here for our property!"

Jimin's eyes widened with fury as he stood up abruptly.

Jimin: "Park Yn!"

Yn replied rudely, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Yn: "What?"

Jimin's face twisted with anger.

Jimin: "Show some manners! Don't talk to her like that!"

Yn's eyes blazed with defiance.

Yn: "This bitch is the reason why we’re apart! This leech wants all the money, and that’s why she’s sticking around you. This gold-digger can even sleep with you despite being your so-called aunt, just for your money!"

As the venomous words left her lips, a resounding slap echoed through the room. The force of Jimin's hand sent Yn crashing to the floor. She looked up at her brother with teary eyes, her heart breaking. Never before had he raised a hand against her, no matter how much he seemed to hate her, but today he had crossed all boundaries.

Jimin shouted, his voice trembling with rage.

Jimin: "You should be grateful that aunt raised you! Aunt, do whatever you feel is right for Yn. She’s becoming unbearable now."

Yn’s heart shattered into a million pieces hearing his words. She stood up, her body moving mechanically like a lifeless doll, she stumbled through the front door, and the world around her seemed to collapse. The betrayal from her own brother, the one person she had hoped would understand her plight, was a wound too deep to heal. Su-min’s venomous words and Jimin’s brutal slap played on a loop in her mind, each replay a fresh stab of pain.

Yn: "How could he? After everything, how could he?"

The cold wind outside did little to numb the pain inside her. Her heart, once filled with a flicker of hope, now lay in shattered fragments, each piece reflecting the hopelessness she felt. She walked aimlessly, her feet dragging, her mind numb.

Days had passed, and Taehyung was growing increasingly anxious. His calls to Yn went unanswered, leaving him scared and worried. He desperately wanted to return and check on her but couldn’t abandon the project he had been working on for over a year.

On the other hand, Jimin was consumed by regret. The memory of his harsh words and the slap haunted him, filling him with self-loathing. Deciding to make amends, he went to Yn’s room. His heart clenched at the sight. The room was in a sorry state: the walls looked as though they hadn’t been painted in decades, and she barely had any clothes. The only possessions she had were the minimal things Taehyung had gifted her.

Jimin: "How could I have been so blind?"

He asked one of the maids about Yn’s whereabouts. The maid looked frightened but eventually spoke up.

Maid: "She didn’t come home since the day you both argued."

Jimin's face turned pale with horror.

Jimin: "Why didn’t anyone tell me sooner?"

The maid, trembling, confessed.

Maid: "Madam Su-min told us not to say anything... she said it was none of our business."."

Rage surged through Jimin as he scolded the maid, but his anger quickly turned inward, toward his own actions and negligence.

 Jimin’s heart ached with guilt and regret as he pieced together the extent of Yn’s suffering. He had been blind to her pain. The realization of how deeply he had hurt his sister gnawed at him.

Jimin: "I have to find her. I have to make things right."

Meanwhile, Taehyung couldn’t take the worry anymore. He booked an emergency flight and returned to Seoul. The moment he arrived home, he went straight to Yn's room, only to find it empty. He immediately called one of his trusted maids, the one he had left in charge of looking after Yn.

Taehyung: "Where is Yn?

The maid trembled but spoke the truth.

Maid: "Yn didn’t come home that night after the argument. Madam Su-min told us not to inform anyone."

Fury surged through Taehyung as he stormed to Jimin's room. Without a word, he started punching Jimin, unleashing all his pent-up anger and frustration. They fought fiercely until Su-min came and separated them. Seeing Jimin’s bloody face, she slapped Taehyung and raised her hand to strike him again, but Taehyung caught her wrist and pushed her away, glaring.

Taehyung: "If something happens to Yn, I’ll bury you alive, Jimin."

Jimin, confused and shocked, retorted.

Jimin: "What are you talking about? Yn went to a friend’s house. Why would anything happen to her? I’m sorry for what I did, and I’ll apologize when she comes bac-"

Taehyung didn’t let him finish, laughing bitterly.

Taehyung: "Which friend? Does she have any friends? You must have believed in Su-min's false concern. Remember, Yn never lies. You've been distant to her for so long. You're not the only one who lost your parents. Yn was only four; she didn’t even understand what death meant.

Taehyung took a deep breath, his voice breaking with emotion.

Taehyung: "I'm taking Yn with me to New York."

Jimin growled, his protective instinct kicking in.

Jimin: "She’s my sister. She’ll live with me. You can't take her away."

Taehyung chuckled darkly.

Taehyung: "Oh now she is your sister? Where were you when she was punished by your so-called aunt Su-min for accidentally breaking her favorite heels? She made her stand in a snowstorm. She was only five. I was the one who rushed her to the hospital while you were out enjoying Christmas with your friends."

Su-min trembled, fearing Taehyung would expose all her mistreatments.

Taehyung: "Were you there when Yn got her first period and was crying in the bathroom, not knowing what was happening? I was the one who went to the store to buy what she needed and took care of her. Jimin, you’ve been absent from her life."

Jimin’s heart sank, guilt crashing over him as he realized the truth in Taehyung’s words.

Jimin: "I was grieving our parents’ death too. I didn't know how to cope."

Taehyung's anger flared again.

Taehyung: "Are you still grieving? A few months ago, Yn had pneumonia. I called you so many times, but you didn’t respond. I called Su-min, and she ignored me, telling you Yn was out partying, and you believed it. If I hadn’t called Namjoon and if he hadn’t come in time, we would have lost her. You need to use your brain and not feed on Su-min's words."

Taehyung’s eyes filled with tears as he shouted.

Taehyung: "Everything Yn said was true. Su-min is raising you two only because of your property."

Su-min cried out, trying to defend herself.

Su-min: "Taehyung, why do you think this way? I am your mother."

Taehyung’s voice was filled with venom.

Taehyung: "You are not my mother and you will never be. Don’t forget your place. You’re just a stripper who tricked my father into marrying you. When he threw you out, you came here to trick them too."

The room fell silent, the weight of Taehyung’s words hanging heavy in the air. Jimin’s regret was palpable, his face reflecting the guilt and sorrow he felt for his actions and neglect. Su-min stood there, trembling, knowing that her mistreatment of Yn might soon be fully exposed. Taehyung, dominant and emotional, was a force to be reckoned with, his love and concern for Yn driving every word and action.

Tears streamed down Jimin's face as he realized the depth of his failure. He had been so consumed by his own grief and responsibilities that he had ignored his sister’s suffering. The memories of all the times he had dismissed Yn, all the times he had turned a blind eye, flooded his mind.

Jimin: "I’ve been such a fool, Taehyung. I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt Yn. I... I didn’t see it."

Taehyung’s voice softened slightly, but his anger was still evident.

Taehyung: "Sorry won’t change the past, Jimin. But you can change the future. I’m taking Yn with me to New York. She deserves a chance to heal and be happy, away from this toxic environment."

Jimin growled, desperate to keep his sister close.

Jimin: "N-no S-She’s my sister. S-She should stay here with me."

Taehyung’s eyes narrowed.

Taehyung: "You had your chance, Jimin. Now it’s my turn to protect her. You need to earn her trust back, and that starts with acknowledging your mistakes and letting her go."

Yn’s suffering, hidden for so long, had finally come to light. The path ahead was uncertain, but with Taehyung’s unwavering support, there was hope for a brighter future. The emotional storm had cleared a path for reconciliation and understanding, but it was up to each member of the family to walk it, starting with Jimin’s heartfelt apologies and sincere efforts to change.

Jimin: "I’ll do whatever it takes to make it right, Taehyung. I promise."

Taehyung nodded, his eyes still filled with unshed tears.

Taehyung: "For Yn’s sake, I hope you do."

Meanwhile, Yn sat in front of her parents' grave, the rain pouring down heavily. Tears mingled with the raindrops as she poured out her heart.

Yn: "M-Mom, D-Dad, I miss you so much. I…I feel so alone. Oppa hates me, and Aunt... she wants to destroy me. W-Why did you leave me? I need y-you."

Her sobs grew louder, her chest tightening painfully. She began to feel dizzy, her breath coming in shallow gasps. The world around her blurred, and she started to collapse when a few passersby rushed to her aid.

To Be Continued....